South Sudanese journalists have produced many Covid-19 related stories, providing the population with accurate information, through radio, and in print.
A number of radio shows have also highlighted the impact of the pandemic on human rights, the impact on women and girls, and on mental health.
Radio talk show host and Eye Radio journalist Okot Emmanuel presented the “The Sundown Show” on 13th May 2020 from 4:00 pm -5:00 pm, about gender-based violence sexual reproductive health services for women and girls during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Guest speakers were Mary Otieno – UN Population Fund Country Representative in South Sudan, Muhamad Ayoyo – UNICEF’s Country Representative in South Sudan, and Aya Benjamin Warille –The National Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.
The Covid-19 crisis is having a devastating effect on women and girls with potentially far-reaching and long-term negative impacts. Quarantines and social isolation mean that abusers live in close proximity with their potential victims around the clock when other people are not there to intervene. For similar reasons, there’s been a sharp increase in domestic violence against women and girls reported across South Sudan as well as limited access to sexual reproductive health services.
This puts women and girls at the risk of unintended pregnancies, HIV/Sexual Transmitted Diseases, and psychological trauma. This radio program, therefore, sought to discuss the risks the pandemic poses to women and girls and how such risks can be averted.
The guest speakers also discussed how the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting on the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of women and girls in terms of access to reproductive health services such as birth control methods, ante-natal, and post-natal care etc. Recommendations were also suggested for women and girls, families and communities, stakeholders such as government and agencies on what steps to take to support women and girls who may need help.
Listen to the full episodes by ‘The Sundown Show’ here
* All sources for the radio shows had to be pre-recorded separately through telephone interviews due to the COVID 19 measures of social isolation and physical distancing. The interviews were then packaged and aired the following day.